Data Center Technician

Leads and manages the data centre operations team, ensuring 24/7 reliability, security, and performance of physical and virtual infrastructure. Combines hands-on technical expertise with people leadership, operational planning, and stakeholder management. Acts as the primary point of accountability for all data centre operations, maintenance, and incident response activities., Leadership & Team Management

• Manage, mentor, and develop a team of data centre technicians, including performance reviews, shift scheduling, and skills development
• Set team objectives and KPIs aligned with client SLAs and operational targets
• Conduct regular one-to-ones, team meetings, and performance appraisals
• Manage on-call rotas and ensure adequate coverage for 24/7 support requirements
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and safety
Infrastructure Management
• Oversee the installation, configuration, and maintenance of servers, networking devices, and storage equipment
• Ensure all hardware deployments follow documented procedures and change management processes
• Manage structured cabling infrastructure to maintain standards and support scalability
System Monitoring & Environmental Controls
• Oversee monitoring of environmental controls (HVAC, temperature, humidity) and power systems (generators, UPS) to ensure optimal operating conditions
• Ensure proactive alerting and response procedures are in place for environmental anomalies
• Manage capacity planning for power, cooling, and physical space
Incident Response & Troubleshooting
• Act as escalation point for critical infrastructure incidents
• Ensure the team operates as effective first responders to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware and network issues
• Lead post-incident reviews and ensure root cause analysis is completed and actions implemented
Maintenance & Security
• Plan and schedule routine and preventive maintenance on all infrastructure
• Ensure adherence to physical security protocols, access control procedures, and data centre standards
• Coordinate planned maintenance windows with the client and internal teams
Stakeholder & Vendor Management
• Act as primary point of contact for client data centre operations
• Attend and contribute to service review meetings, providing operational reporting and insights
• Coordinate with third-party suppliers for equipment procurement, maintenance contracts, and SLA adherence
• Manage vendor relationships and hold suppliers accountable to agreed service levels
Operational Planning & Budget
• Manage operational budgets for equipment, maintenance, and consumables
• Conduct capacity planning and provide recommendations for infrastructure investment
• Develop and maintain forward schedules of change and maintenance plans
Documentation, Reporting & Governance
• Maintain accurate documentation including inventory records, change management logs, and incident reports
• Produce regular operational reports covering uptime, incidents, capacity, and SLA performance
• Ensure compliance with data centre standards (e.g., Uptime Institute Tier classifications), health & safety regulations, and audit requirements
Continuous Improvement
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, reduce downtime, and improve service delivery
• Drive adoption of best practices across the team
• Contribute to the development of operational procedures, runbooks, and standard operating procedures
  
  Proven experience managing 24/7 operational environments with on-call responsibilities
Technical Knowledge
• Deep understanding of servers, structured cabling, and network infrastructure
• Strong knowledge of data centre environmental systems (power distribution, cooling/HVAC, UPS, generators)
• Experience with data centre monitoring tools and DCIM platforms
• Understanding of virtualisation technologies (VMware, Hyper-V)
• Knowledge of change management, incident management, and ITIL processes
Leadership & Management Skills
• Proven people management experience including performance management, team development, and rota planning
• Strong stakeholder engagement and client-facing communication skills
• Budget management and vendor negotiation experience
• Ability to lead under pressure and manage competing priorities
Soft Skills
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work on-call and respond to critical incidents outside core hours
• Collaborative approach with the ability to influence at all levels
Desirable Certifications
• CDCP (Certified Data Centre Professional) or CDCS (Certified Data Centre Specialist)
• CDFOM (Certified Data Centre Facilities Operations Manager)
• CompTIA Server+, CompTIA Network+, or CCNA
• ITIL Foundation (minimum)
Security Clearance Candidates must be sole UK nationals (British passport holders only, no dual nationality) and must have resided continuously in the UK for the past 5 years to meet SC clearance requirements.